The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-15
AN OUTLAW In CUSTODY.
A Prisoner of the Police Identified as
the Notorious John FL. Underwood,
A Desperate Who Has Murdered Number of
Persons and Committed Several of the
Most Daring Robberies in the Country.

When officers Quieley. sauers. Thornton and
Haley surrounded the second hand store at No.
23l East Washington street, last Tuesday, and
after lively fight captured two thieves, they
little supposed they had secured in one Of the
number the man who has been for five years the
most eagerly soughtfor outlaw in the United
States The desperate fight the men made and
their refusal to say anything, convinced the off,
GERS that they had secured what they call "old-
timers" They notified the Mayor. and in or
der to give Superintendent Colbert chance to
find out something about the men, the Mayor
committed the prisoners to Jail to await develop
ments.
Thursday afternoon bits of information LED
Mr. Colbert to believe that the man VINO gave his
name as johnson was the notorious John Henry
Underwood, who has been fugitive from JUS
tice for FIVE years, and who has baffied the best
detectives in the country in their efforts to cap
ture him. Yesterday the belief was confirmed
in such a way that leaves little room for doubt
In 1881 ne was arrested north of this city with
wagon load of goods similar to the one that was
captured. He was placed in Jail, and 1t was soon
afterward learned that he was wanted at Mobiles
| Vile for the murder of man by the name Of
| town the charge of murder, and Harry Ad-
| eng. who Was sheriff at the time surrendered
| him to the Hamilton county officers. Yesterday
| Mr.. Adams identified the prisoner as the same
| man he had in his custody.
/ Underwood is a native Of Boone county and
to be of the identity, the prosecuting atror-
| ney of that county, who knows him well, was
sent for. Yesterday he came to the city. and
identified the prisoner as the man he was cup
posed to be. Underwood has been arrested ff-
| teen OF twenty times. Wien he was taken from
| this city to Boone county for trial, in 1881, he
was sentenced to five years in the penitentiarv.
aud has never been arrested since. After his
| escape he went West and joined gang of out
| laws that operated in the Southwestern States
and Territories. During the latter part of 1881
he and four partners stopped a train
! near Dallas, Tex, and robbed the express-car
| and al, the passengers on board. The express
| company put the matter into the hands of the
Pinkerton detectives, and. after months of
| searching, they finally came upon the four ont
| laws in a small Southwestern town. A desperate
fight ensued in which all but Underwood were
captured. In making his escape he killed one o.
| Pinkertous men. A reward of $4,000 was a.
the time offered for his capture, but he was
never apprehended.
The Pinkerton detective agency at Chicago
was notified yesterday of his arrest and tele
graphed to hold him: that he was man they
had been hunting for five years. He is wanted
for numerous other crimes. He occasion,
ally visited this State, and In De.
cember, 1885, murdered Israel Bowling
of Boone county. He was at one time
one of the leaders of the notorious Reno gang
and is wanted for the murder of man in Jack
son county, committed while a member of that
notorious band of outlaws. He has a brother
Gideon Underwood, residing on farm in Boone
county, and on that account has made frequent
visits to this State during his career. Until las,
fall his brother had been considered uprigh,
citizen. 1t was finally rumored that he had in
his possession a lot of stolen goods, and the
sheriff of the county had his house searched A
very large quantity of goods were found, and he
was arrested for conspring with his brother il
stealing He is now hold at Lebanon for trial
Those who know the character of the notorious
desperate express wonder that he was ever ar
rested without the sacrificing of lfe On sew
eral occasions Pinkertons men were close upor
him. but he always managed by his daring t
make his escape.
Word was received from W. A. Pinkerton yes
terday to put special guard over him, as h
had never been known to remain in Jail ovel
twenty -four hours In accordance with the eug
gestoD, patrolman was detailed to watch tn,
jail last night and man will be kept there al
long as he is on the inside Mr. Henderson
agent OF the Adams Express Company said las
night that the company would he glad to prose
cute him. but he thought the Sic, 900 reward hat
become invalid.
The man arrested with him, who gave thu
name IF Brown, is in reality John Kelly no
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